Gov. Jindal Visits First Responders at Plant Explosion in Geismar

GEISMAR – Following a
Unified Command Group meeting, Governor Bobby Jindal traveled to Geismar where
he met with first responders and local officials for an update on the explosion
at the Williams Olefins plant.

Governor
Jindal said, “This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts and prayers are with
the people of Geismar and everyone who’s been affected by the explosion. That
includes the workers and individuals who were in the plant at the time of the
explosion and their families, and we wish those with injuries a safe and speedy
recovery. We want to thank the brave work of our first responders who ran
toward danger instead of away from it to help evacuate folks.

“We
wanted to come down here to survey the scene and meet with local officials and
first responders, and the people of Geismar need to know that they have every
resource of state government working for them right now.

“We
have a lot of folks who are still working within the plant to assess the
situation there. There will be further investigations afterward to determine
what happened and to ensure this doesn't happen again. Right now, our focus is
on the recovery, the rescue efforts within the plant, and on making sure that
folks in the surrounding communities are safe.

“There
were over 300 people evacuated from the plant site. Of the evacuees,
eight people were taken by helicopter. At this time, the Department of Health
and Hospitals report that 73 people from the plant site have been taken to
local hospitals. There are 10 people in a safe room in the plant. This is part
of emergency protocol for shutting down the plant.

“At
this time, there is unfortunately one confirmed fatality. Ascension
Parish has lifted the shelter-in-place order in a 2-mile radius. There are four
additional plants in the area that have shelter-in-place orders, including
Honeywell, Univer, Innophos and PCS Nitrogen.”

Department
of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

The
plant is in the process of emergency flaring. There have been no
detections above normal levels, but DEQ is doing additional monitoring out of
an abundance of caution. DEQ deployed their emergency response staff and they
have already conducted air monitoring on Highway 30 – between Highway 3115 and
Highway 73. The results so far show no harmful effects.

DEQ’s
air monitoring lab is on site. EPA START contractors have been mobilized and
will support the state’s air monitoring efforts. EPA is also deploying a
federal on-scene coordinator.

Department
of Health and Hospitals (DHH)

DHH
is monitoring surge capacity at hospitals in order to ensure there is enough
capacity at hospitals in the region if needed.

DHH
is also assisting with the coordination of ambulances for medical assistance.
DHH has deployed four mobile crisis centers for mental health.

DHH
will also be assisting with family reunification at Lamar-Dixon. There is
a hotline that has been set up by the parish to help with family reunification.
That number is 866-380-2303.

Department
of Transportation and Development (DOTD)

DOTD
is assisting state police with road closures and setting up variable message
boards directing southbound traffic in this area to LA 74 Eastbound.
Northbound traffic is being directed up LA 73.

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